Merge and compress PDF files

About this task

Merging and compressing are two separate jobs, and the order matters. First combine the files, then shrink the result once. That way the size limit applies to the final file, and you only compress one document instead of several.

If your merged file is already under the limit, you do not need step 2. A set of text-only PDFs often adds up to a small file, and a quick look at the size after merging saves you from turning clean pages into pictures for no reason.

Step 1 is the tool below. Add the PDFs, drag them into the order you want and press merge. Download the combined file. Step 2 is Compress PDF: open the merged file, pick a quality or a target size, and compress. For common limits there are ready pages for 500 KB, 1 MB and 2 MB.

Some practical points before you start. Put the files in their final order first, because moving pages after compression means redoing the work. If one file is a scan that sits sideways, fix it with Rotate PDF before merging. And if only one of the files is large, such as a photo-heavy scan, compressing the merged document still treats every page the same way, so look at the Before and After sizes and try a slightly larger target if the text pages look too soft.

Compression re-draws each page as a picture, so the text in the result can no longer be selected or searched. If you need to keep the text, check whether the merged file is under the limit before you compress it. The guide on compressing a PDF for email and upload limits explains the trade-offs and when to try a different approach.

There is no single button that does both at once. You run the merge, download the file, then open Compress PDF with it. Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked before they can be merged.

How to do it

1. Add the PDFs you want to combine.
2. Drag them into order and press merge, then download the combined PDF.
3. Open Compress PDF, add the merged file and choose a quality or target size.
4. Compress, compare the Before and After sizes, and download the result.

Merge PDFs is free and needs no account. Your file is processed in your browser and never uploaded.

Frequently asked questions

Should I merge or compress first?

Merge first, then compress the merged file once. You then check the final size against the limit.

Will the merged file keep selectable text?

Merging keeps it. Compressing does not, because pages become pictures. Skip compression if the file is already small enough.

Are my files uploaded?

No. Both steps run in your browser and the files stay on your device.